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Traditional Yet Innovative - The Village, Niagara-on-the-Lake

Brookfield Homes delivers on both counts at The Villagage in Niagara-on-the-Lake

Niagara-on-the-Lake is famous for its picturesque scenery, historic small-town charm and renowned theatre – all set amid world-class wine country.

Now, thanks to Brookfield Homes, it’s about more than weekend getaways, winery tours and B&Bs. And now that spring is here, the company is planning some special events to help showcase its latest community: The Village, an award-winning classic collection of townhomes, semis and detached homes starting from $299,990 to more than $600,000.

With the Village, Brookfield begins a new chapter in the history of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Architecture that ranges from Victorian to Georgian and materials such as Hardie board and brick, and with meandering pathways, quaint parkettes and an elegant central park – everything harmonizes to create distinctive streetscapes rich in Old World charm and new-home excellence and craftsmanship. Add the Niagara-on-the-L-Lake culture, tranquility, world-class theatre, fine dining, shopping, estate wineries and farmers’ markets, and The Village may just be one of the most coveted new addresses in Canada.

Golf courses are just around the corner, and a popular bike trail allows you to tour from one winery to the next or just enjoy the scenery along the vineyards or waterways. For the slightly more adventurous, take a jet boat tour up the powerful Niagara River to appreciate Niagara-on-the-Lake, the river itself and the power dams from a completely different perspective.

With townhomes, semis and detached homes in bungalow and two-storey designs ranging from 1,000 to more than 2,600 sq. ft., there’s a perfect home for everyone in The Village. New home designs are now available, with new lighted staged homes ready to view, as well as move-in now bungalows and two-stories to choose from.
With a tip of the hat – make that a clink of the glasses – to local industry, Brookfield has named some of the homes in The Village after Niagara-on-the-Lake wineries – Stratus, Inniskillin, Jackson – as well as after varietals, such as Shiraz, Zinfandel and Gamay.

Everything about The Village speaks to quality of life, and the grand vision is evident in a walking tour of the neighbourhood. Streets are purposely designed to be narrow to calm traffic and create attractive streetscapes. With few long stretches and lots of winding curves, everywhere you look there’s a “vista termination” – an attractive focal point in a curve or space between houses.

Every detail in The Village homes speaks to quality and respect for privacy. Main-floor window heights are built
up from grade to promote privacy, and homes are built
with smaller bricks for a better visual impression. Many of them front laneways or walkways, that further promotes a “village” ambiance.

Most garages have been placed around back of the homes for better visuals and allowing for more parking on the street, which further calms traffic. Some lots do have garages at front, but they are recessed about 20 ft. so as not to dominate the visual impression.

While many other developments build adjacent to natural ravines to be able to offer premium ravine lots, Brookfield has left ravines intact, to be enjoyed as a community amenity.

“We’ve turned things upside down to think of the enjoyment of the people living there,” says John Hawley, president of Traditional Neighbourhood Developments Inc., Brookfield’s partner in The Village. “We’re breaking the mould and challenging tradition.” This philosophy is evident with the combination of townhomes, semis and singles mixed among each other, further conveying the feel of a mature and comfortable environment.

It also affords great selection for the multi-generational demographic profile of the neighbourhood.
The variety of home types is also conducive to individuality, and buyers can further personalize their homes and be creative with verandahs and laneways spaces.

“The master-planned community has been designed to ensure all residents can take advantage of the natural amenities throughout, and encourages pedestrian activity so neighbours can quickly become friends and interact more frequently,” says Marc Thibault, director of sales and marketing. “The Village has a wide range of homes for prospective buyers to choose from – bungalows with loft options, but also two-storey designs if that’s a better fit. You have your yard for gardening, but can choose a home with less exterior maintenance, depending on your stage of life.”

This philosophy extends even to the retailers in The Village, which also have to comply with stringent construction codes to maintain the historical fabric of Niagara-on-the-Lake.

To coincide with the opening of the Farmer’s Market during the Victoria Day long weekend, May 21 to 23, the company is planning open houses of homes of actual Brookfield homeowners in The Village. Buyers can view these “live” homes to get a better sense of their prospective new neighbourhood, and of course, neighbours.

Closings at The Village are available now from 30 to 60 days, to winter 2011/spring 2012. For more information call 1-866-930-0050 or visit thevillagebrookfield.ca